Faculty FAQs

Q. Where is American College and what is it like there?

A. American College of Norway (ACN) is located in the small city of Moss, south of Oslo (about 45 min. by train). Moss is a quaint city on the Oslo fjord with a population of around 40,000. Main industries in the city include fishing, metal works, paper works, and also is the headquarters of textile producer Helly Hansen.

The American College of Norway was founded in 1990 by Dr. Steinar Opstad, a former Vice President of NHO, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise.

In 1992, ACN began with 12 Norwegian and 12 American students coming together to study in a quaint farm mansion on the island of Jeløy in Moss, Østfold, Norway. Throughout the years the program has expanded to 70 students from Norway, the United States, and countries from all over the world. ACN is now located in the beautiful Convention Building (Konvensjonsgaarden), downtown Moss, near the public library, cafes, shopping and nightlife. UND faculty offer courses at A.C.N during the spring and, often, summer semesters.

Q. How do I apply to teach at ACN?

A. Review the application procedures on this website and fill out and submit the application. You may wish to discuss your plans and ideas with UND's ACN Coordinator, Dr. Tami Carmichael, who can give you feedback about what semesters are available and what courses might be best suited to ACN's needs.

Q. What can I teach?

A. The majority of courses at ACN need to qualify as Essential Studies courses. Students there are in their first year of college and will transfer to U.S. schools, so they are in need of E.S. courses. However, most courses need to be at the 200 level or above.

Some upper level courses can be of interest. For more information, contact UND's ACN coordinator, Dr. Tami Carmichael.

Q. When do I teach?

A. American College follows the same schedule as UND with some minor intra-semester break changes (for instance, ACN has a Feb. winter break and not a March spring break) however beginning and ending dates are the same. Final exam schedules are determined by individual faculty members in conjunction with ACN staff. Individual teaching schedules are established with ACN staff. Classes are in session four days a week ( M - Th or T – F). Three day weekends are provided to encourage U.S. students to travel internationally.

Q. Is it possible to set up field trips in Norway?

A. Yes! This is encouraged. The ACN staff and the UND ACN coordinator can provide you with information and contact names for various field trip options. Oslo is easily and quickly accessible, so classes often make use of museums, cultural events, etc. Field trip fees can be assessed students. This must be established ahead of the semester with ACN staff.

Q. Are there other activities that I will be responsible for participating in?

A. A few times throughout the semester, ACN staff plan extra curricular activities for students to build community. Faculty are highly encouraged to engage in these events and even help plan and facilitate them.

Q. How do I arrange this opportunity with my department and college?

A. After visiting with UND's ACN coordinator, discuss your plans with your department chair and dean. It is up to individual departments to articulate and negotiate their needs to the dean of their college. If, for instance, a replacement instructor is needed, this is something that must be negotiated through the college. Often departments shift workloads to accommodate a faculty member teaching at ACN.

Q. Do I "count" this as a developmental leave?

A. No. You are still fully employed by and paid by UND. This does not count as leave and does not endanger any future developmental leave requests.

Q. What do I have to pay for? How will I be paid?

A. You are paid your normal UND salary from UND. Your airfare and airport shuttle costs are reimbursed by UND (after travel is complete). A per diem is paid for travel days to and from Norway. ACN provides rent free housing and pays basic electricity costs and wireless internet. Faculty must pay for electricity usage costs (this is arranged with ACN when there) and checkout apartment cleaning if necessary.

Summer classes are paid for under the summer tuition funding model.

Q. Do I need a passport and visa?

A. Yes. You need both. You will apply to the Norwegian government for a work visa. This application must be filed several months before travel. Visa fees are reimbursed by UND. The Office of International Programs handles all faculty visa issues.

Q. Where will I live?

A. ACN provides small apartments next to the college for faculty. The apartments are furnished and stocked with necessary kitchen equipment, sheets, towels, etc. All apartments have washing machines (but not dryers).

Stores, buses and the train station are all within walking distance of the apartments and the College. Public transportation to airports and to other cities is easily accessible and affordable.

Q. Can I take my family?

A. Generally yes, but this must be negotiated with ACN. Talk with UND's ACN coordinator about your specific situation.

Spouses who are not working and children must have visas to remain in Norway longer than 3 months. The ability to gain visas for non-working dependents relies on income level (income levels must be higher for every dependent visa).

Q. If I take a child, can I arrange child care and/or school?

A. Yes. You will work directly with ACN staff to arrange daycare (you pay) or school. Children living in Norway with their parents also need a visa. The cost for these visas will not be reimbursed.

Q. What is the teaching load there and how big are classes?

A. Faculty members teach three courses. Enrollments fluctuate between 25 and 50.

Q. Do I need to speak Norwegian?

A. Classes are taught in English and Norwegian students are fluent speakers, though they are speaking and writing in English as a second or sometimes third language.

Norwegians in general are fluent English speakers and it is fully possible to navigate life in Norway as an English speaker.

Q. Can I travel while I am there?

A. Yes! This is highly encouraged. Faculty often travel over weekends and breaks. Arrangements can be made with ACN staff to store luggage after the semester's end if travel occurs then. Arrangements to rent a room at ACN after the end of the semester can also be made (this often requires moving out of the apartment you are in and into a smaller apartment or room).

Faculty are highly encouraged to make professional use of travel to attend conferences, etc. in in Europe or Scandinavia.